The Woodcraft Girls in the City Part 4

_1. Silence._ Keep absolute silence for six hours during the daytime in camp, while mixing freely with the life of the camp. In the city keep silence from after school till bedtime.

_2. Keep Good-natured._ Keep absolutely unruffled for one day of twelve hours, giving a smiling answer to all.

_3. Exact Obedience._ For one week give prompt, smiling obedience to parents, teachers, and those who have authority over you. This must be certified to by those in question.

_4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article_, such as a basket, a bench, a bed, a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc.

_5. Sleep out_, without a built roof overhead, for three nights consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.'

"Now that you have heard what the tests are how many of you believe you can qualify-answer by raising your right hand and by the word of Woodcraft approval?"

The six girls raised six hands and then looked at each other sheepishly because the word "How" seemed so meaningless to them.

"I forgot to explain that this word 'How' means 'yes' or 'thanks' or 'approval,'" hastily added the Guide.

Then all said "How!" and the other five girls felt that their new members were doing fine work.

"Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while we are at it?" asked Zan.

The Guide then demonstrated the sign and action, saying: "The hand sign of the girls is the 'Sun in the heart, rising to the Zenith'-given by the right hand being placed over the heart, the first finger and the thumb making a circle, then swinging the forearm so the hand is level with the forehead, thus-."

Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with the meeting.

"In case any of you are not familiar with the Woodcraft Laws I will read them aloud to you. And Miss Miller, I would suggest right here, that the new members write to Headquarters at once and order a Girl's Manual.

They will need it daily, and I can't spare mine, you know. We really couldn't accomplish much without this printed Guide of rules and instruction and guides."

Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new members:

"'_1. Be Brave._ Courage is the n.o.blest of all gifts.

_2. Be Silent_, while your elders are speaking and otherwise show them deference.

_3. Obey._ Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcraft Girl.

_4. Be Clean._ Both yourself and the place you live in.

_5. Understand and respect your body._ It is the temple of the Spirit.

_6. Be a friend of all harmless wild life._ Conserve the woods and flowers, and especially be ready to fight wild-fire in forest or in town.

_7. Word of Honour is sacred._

_8. Play Fair._ Foul play is treachery.

_9. Be Reverent._ Wors.h.i.+p the Great Spirit and respect all wors.h.i.+p of Him by others.

_10. Be Kind._ Do at least one act of unbargaining service every day.

_11. Be Helpful._ Do your share of the work.

_12. Be Joyful._ Seek the joy of being alive.'

These are the twelve laws that every good Woodcrafter tries to live up to. Now if the Fire Maker will make fire for our Council, I will explain the rays that s.h.i.+ne from each of the four candles-one at each corner of the earth."

The Chief waited for Jane, who was Fire Maker for that meeting, to take the rubbing sticks and when she stood ready to begin the fire-making, Zan said:

"Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo Omnee-chee-yaynee-chopi."

The opening words of Council concluded by the Chief, Jane placed the fire sticks in their proper position and began to saw back and forth with the bow until a tiny spiral of smoke rose from the fire-block.

The Guide watching, said, "Now light we the Council Fire after the manner of the Red man, even also as the rubbing together of two trees in the storm-winds brings forth the fire from the forest wood."

Jane blew gently upon the small pyramid of black powder in the fire-pan until the smoke grew thicker. She then waved it slowly back and forth still blowing gently until a minute spark glowed under the black dust.

At that the girls all cried:

"How! How!"

Then a handful of inflammable wild-wood material was touched to the spark and as the smoke curled upward filling the immediate vicinity with an aromatic pine odour, a tiny flame shot out.

"How! How!" again chorused the Woodcrafters, and the tinder now burning brightly, was placed in the earthen dish and the dish set in the enclosure made by the logs.

With the flame bursting forth, Miss Miller quoted: "Now know we that Wakanda the Great Spirit hath been pleased to smile upon His children, hath sent down the sacred fire. By this we know He will be present at our Council, that His wisdom will be with us."

After this Zan read again from the Manual:

"'Four candles are there on the Shrine of this our symbol fire. And from them reach twelve rays-twelve golden strands of this the Law we hold.

From the Lamp of Fort.i.tude are these:

_Be Brave._ For fear is the foundation of all ill; unflinchingness is strength.

_Be Silent._ It is harder to keep silence than to speak in hour of trial, but in the end it is stronger.

_Obey._ For Obedience means self-control, which is the sum of the law.

And these are the Rays from Beauty's Lamp:

_Be Clean._ For there is no perfect beauty without cleanliness of body, soul, and estate. The body is the sacred temple of the Spirit, therefore reverence your body. Cleanliness helps first yourself, then those around you, and those who keep this law are truly in their country's loving service.

_Understand and Respect Your Body._ It is the temple of the Spirit, for without health can neither strength nor beauty be.

_Protect All Harmless Wild-life_ for the joy its beauty gives.

And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth:

_Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred._ This is the law of truth, and anyone not bound by this cannot be bound; and truth is wisdom. _Play Fair._ For fair play is truth and foul play is treachery.

Reverence the Great Spirit, and all wors.h.i.+p of Him, for none have all the truth, and all who reverently wors.h.i.+p have claims on our respect.